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Contributions of early adversity to pro-inflammatory phenotype in infancy: the buffer provided by attachment security

Jeffrey R Measelle1, Jennifer C Ablow1

  • 1a Psychology , University of Oregon , Eugene , OR , USA.

Attachment & Human Development
|August 12, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Early life adversity, including familial stress and maternal depression, is linked to infant inflammation. Secure attachment may protect infants from these effects, suggesting early origins of lifelong health risks.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental psychology
  • Immunology
  • Public health

Background:

  • Early life adversity is linked to later systemic inflammation.
  • Few studies explore early infancy inflammation origins and disease vulnerability.
  • Understanding early inflammation is crucial for predicting lifelong health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Examine associations between multiple early adversities and infant inflammation.
  • Investigate the buffering role of infant-maternal attachment security.
  • Identify origins of pro-inflammatory responses in infancy.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed socioeconomic status, familial stress, maternal depression, and attachment security.
  • Measured salivary pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and C-reactive protein.
  • Analyzed data from 49 infants at 17 months old.

Main Results:

  • Familial stress, maternal depression, and attachment security directly correlated with infant inflammation.
  • Attachment security moderated the impact of maternal depression on inflammation.
  • Early adversity exposure is associated with infant pro-inflammatory markers.

Conclusions:

  • Familial stress and maternal depression in infancy are linked to heightened inflammation.
  • Infant attachment security plays a moderating role in adversity's immunologic impact.
  • Early life adversity may establish a pro-inflammatory state with long-term health implications.

Keywords:
C-reactive proteinInflammationearly adversityinfancypro-inflammatory cytokines

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